
diss (_; \ CiM P ■ 



SMITHSONIAN DKI'OSIT. 






9 4S 




MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



EMMA FORNEY- EBY, 



Born Jtfau 15, 1854 ; Died January 28, 1886. 



THE LIBRARY 
OF C ONGR ESS 

WASHINGTON 



LOVINGLY DEDICATED 



HER DEAR MOTHER. 




Washington: 
Rufub IT. Darby Printer, and Publisher. 

1886. 



u 






ft 



IjSTTEODUCTIOJST. 



The object of this Memorial tribute to our dear daughter 
Emma is to preserve in some convenient form the various 
expressions from her friends and associates in life of her 
inestimable character, both as a Christian and in all the other 
qualities which make up a beautiful womanhood. It is also 
to show the deep appreciation in which these tributes are 
held by those with whom she was connected by the warmest 
parental love, for whose comfort and condolence they 
largely contributed in the hours of their deep and overwhelm- 
ing affliction, and that they will be treasured as long as the 
sweet memory of her they help to commemorate can be 
preserved by human affection. 

Death at all times and under all conditions of human life is 
an unwelcome messenger. If not always so to those whose 
earthly career it ends — some heart-strings are strained, some 
teardrops are started, some tender memories are revived by 
the melancholy lesson it teaches. How terribly more so are 
such Providences when they come without either warning or 
expectation, and suddenly strike the most cherished jewel of 
a household — a loving daughter and young wife — when human 
hopes are the brightest, and the future full of the most 
encouraging possibilities. To have such a life suddenly cut 
off, which one brief hour before was jubilant with song and 
friendly greetings, partakes more of tragedy than death in 
its usual form. Yet such, in brief words, was the manner 
of our dear daughter's earthly ending. Her young life went 
out like the sudden vanishing of a sunbeam — the evaporation 
of a dew-drop. I will not attempt to portray the agony of 
our hearts when this news reached us — separated as we were 
by over a hundred miles — the utter despair and the gloom 



IN MEMOKIAM. 



that settled upon us — nor when at last we fully realized that 
our daughter, our Emma, was dead, and we saw all that was 
left of her lovingly and tenderly laid in her grave. What- 
ever power language may possess, however searchingly it 
may be able to unfold the depth of the human heart, it can 
never tell or measure our sorrow, nor how impenetrable the 
gloom, how hopeless the shadows that surrounded us. But 
God at last, through the instrumentality of loving, devoted 
friends, and in answer to Christian prayers, opened the way 
for us to understand His Providence and the lesson it was 
intended to teach us. Never were sorrowing hearts more 
abundantly consoled with Christian prayers than ours. The 
very atmosphere surrounding the death and attending the 
burial of our daughter was full of supplications for our com- 
fort and of Christian rejoicing over the victory of her death. 
We could say for the first time, " Even so, Father, for so it 
seemed good in Thy sight." Terrible and agonizing to our 
feelings as the lesson was, we can understand it now. 

The Christian religion, as exemplified in the life and char- 
acter of our dear daughter, was never more strongly and 
convincingly impressed upon our minds ; and this, added to 
the tributes paid to her memory by church people of all 
denominations in the city (Harrisburg, Pa.,) where she died, 
and in the city (Lebanon, Pa.,) where she was born and was 
buried, all go to show that the gift of such a child possessed 
a higher value than the joys her life could bestow upon this 
earth. Such are, at least, some of the conclusions we draw 
from her death, and why her sweet memory is gradually 
becoming a subject of the happiest and most consoling con- 
templations. What was at first dark and gloomy is now 
bright and hopeful. Heaven is much nearer because we feel 
she is there. "No longer here," says Hawthorne, in the first 
hours of parental grief; " she is there, gazing, seeing, know- 
ing, loving, as the blessed only see and know and love. 
Earth has one angel less and heaven one more since yester- 
day. Already, kneeling at the Throne, she has received her 
welcome and is resting on the bosom of her Saviour. If 



IN MEMORIAM. 



human love have power to penetrate the veil (and hath it not?) 
then there are yet living here a few who have the blessedness of 
knowing that an angel loves them." 

Blessed memory, dear, darling daughter, we can now ap- 
preciate the wisdom of your oft-repeated desire to go first, 
to lead the way, because your Christian faith was more fami- 
liar with it. You have crossed the mountain and are safe on 
the other side. Knowing this, the storms and trials still left 
to us will he less severe, in the abiding, comforting faith that 
you have gone before to open the way for us; and as Young, 
with his poetic as well as prophetic genius, assures us — 

" To smooth 
Our rugged path to death, to break those bars 
Of terror and abhorrence, nature throws 
Cross our obstructed way, and thus to make 
Welcome as safe, our port from every storm." 

D. C. F. 



EST MEMOEIAM. 



The subject of these memorial tributes — Emma Forney 
Eby — was the daughter of D. Carpenter and Catharine 
Keinhard Forney. She was born May 15, 1854, at Lebanon, 
Pennsylvania. When seven years old her parents moved to 
Washington City, D. C, where her father shortly thereafter 
engaged in journalism, as the publisher of the " Daily and 
Sunday Morning Chronicle," under the editorial control and 
ownership of Col. John W. Forney. Her preparatory educa- 
tion was in several of the private schools of that city, and 
was completed at the Fulford Female Seminary, Sandy 
Springs, Montgomery county, Md., under the management 
and tutorage of James S. Hallo well, widely and deservedly 
known as one of the most successful schools in the country. 
Apart from Mr. Hallowell's practical mode of teaching, the 
Quaker influences of the village in which the school was 
located, it being a Quaker settlement, and he a prominent 
Quaker, had much to do in directing the natural, refined 
instincts of Mrs. Eby, which, in after life, gave such promi- 
nence to her beautiful character, and to which Mr. Hallowell 
and others, whose letters of condolence are printed in these 
pages, so touchingly refer. 

After finishing her education she returned to her home in 
Washington, where her life became rather an exception to 
the gayeties of society at the National Capital. Her father's 
position offered her many opportunities to social distinction, 
and for a time she entered into some of its gayeties ; was 
greatly admired for her personal beauty and gracefulness of 
manners, but neither of these influences were ever strong 
enough to interfere with her inherent Christian inclina- 
" tions. She preferred the more substantial and lasting of 



IN MEMOKIAM. 



home associations and the influences of the church. She, 
therefore, became a member of the New York Avenue 
Presbyterian Church, under the pastorate of Eev. S. S. 
Mitchell, between whom and this young communicant there 
was formed the strongest Christian attachment, lasting until 
the hour of her death. On March 16, 1877, Dr. Mitchell 
united her in marriage to W. Howard Eby, of llarrisburg, 
Pennsylvania. She was married in the church where her 
profession of Christian faith was made, attended by all the 
happy and promising auspices which fond parents and loving 
friends could possibly contribute. No daughter was ever 
given in marriage more lovingly and with more prayerful 
desires and hopes for a long life of happiness and prosperity ; 
no bride ever left home under more hearty congratulations 
than she. During her residence at Harrisburg, covering a 
period of nearly nine years, she was an active worker in the 
Pine Street Presbyterian Church of that city, a diligent 
teacher in its Sabbath-school, as well as an earnest worker in 
many other societies appertaining to that church. She was 
president of the Ladies' Musical Club, and a member of 
other social singing associations in that city. She possessed 
rare musical taste, and gave early encouragement to her 
instinctive talent for it, preferring and cultivating vocal music 
of the highest and most critical character ; remarkably gifted 
with a sweet soprano voice, full of sympathy and pathos, 
which at times was capable of awakening the tenderest emo- 
tions, as was frequently attested by her friends, both in 
Harrisburg and Washington City, to many of whom its 
endearing echoes will long be associated with her sweet 
memory. Of her many other qualities of heart and mind, 
exemplified in the Christian work she so cheerfully accepted 
and faithfully performed in the city of her adoption, where 
she won the esteem and respect of all classes, rich and poor, 
as well as Christians of every denomination, it is left to be 
told in the tributes paid to her memory in these after pas:es. 



HER DEATH. 



At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1886, with 
scarcely a moment's warning, her young soul winged its way 
from earth to heaven. Mrs. Eby had never been from early 
childhood of robust health, although possessed with an 
indomitable will and perseverance more than her physical 
strength could endure. 

The particulars of her death are best stated by one of the 
Harrisburg papers the morning after it occurred, as follows: 

" The most sudden death that has occurred in this city for along 
time was that of Mrs. W. H. Eby. The first announcement of the 
sad occurrence was discredited, and those who had seen the lady in 
full health and spirits early in the day, were only convinced of the 
stern reality by a visit to her residence. The particulars of the 
sudden demise require but few words. It was a few moments before 
one o'clock and Mr. Eby had returned from his office and handed 
a letter to his wife, which she read. She had hardly finished when 
she passed her hand over her forehead and suddenly fell forward. 
Mr. Eby, seeing his wife was rapidly sinking, sent for a physician. 
It was of no avail, however, as the spark of life had fled. The 
exact cause of death is largely a matter of conjecture, but it is 
believed to have been paralysis of the brain, the result of the bursting 
of a blood vessel." 

The cause of her death as here stated was confirmed by 
her attending physicians to the entire satisfaction of her 
parents and friends. As can well be imagined the sudden 
death of so estimable a lady was not only a shock to her 
immediate circle of friends and acquaintances at her home 
and elsewhere, but it cast a gloom over the entire commu- 
nity in which she lived. 



FUNERAL SERVICES. 



The funeral of Emma Forney-Eby took place the Monday 
following her demise, February 1st, at the Pine Street Pres- 
byterian Church, the Rev. George S. Chambers officiating. 
The congregation was one of the largest ever assembled 
there, being composed of members of different denomi- 
nations of ITarrisburg, "Washington, D. C, Philadelphia, 
Lancaster and Lebanon, who showed by their presence the 
high religious esteem in which Mrs . Eby was held. The pall- 
bearers were Messrs. J. W. Greenland, Luther Kelker, Dr. C. 
Westbrook, Harry Boas, T. T. Weirman, Jr., and Joshua 
Gross ; and when they entered the church with the casket, 
covered with beautiful floral tributes, the large congregation 
arose and remained standing until it was placed upon the bier 
in front of the pulpit. As the pall-bearers proceeded down the 
aisle, followed by the bereaved family and immediate friends, 
the pastor read the solemn words of the burial service, "I am 
the resurrection and the life," &c. Then a quartette, consisting 
of Mrs. E. Z. Gross, Miss M. B. Mowry, and Messrs. E. Z. 
and George Gross, sang the hymn beginning— 

Beyond the smiling and the weeping 

I shall be soon ! 
Beyond the waking and the sleeping, 
Beyond the sowing and the reaping, 

I shall be soon ! 

Love, rest and home — 
Sweet hope ! Lord, tarry not, but come ! 

Beyond the blooming and the fading, 

I shall be soon ; 
Beyond the shining and the shading 
Beyond the hoping and the dreading, 

I shall be soon ; 

Love, rest and home — 
Sweet hope ! Lord, tarry not, but come ! 



10 IN MEMOKIAM. 



Never were these lines sung with more impressive effect, 
as was evidenced by the breathless and solemn silence which 
pervaded the large congregation present. With many their 
encouraging words will linger as the sweetest remembrance 
of her who now rejoices in the fullness of the heavenly "love, 
rest and home." 

Dr. Chambers followed with the Scripture lesson and then 
delivered the following address : 



THE ADDKESS. 

We had supposed ourselves acquainted with the fact that 
death has his sudden as well as his slower methods of sum- 
moning the children of men. But there is a great difference 
between the knowledge of the fact from a general observa- 
tion, and the knowledge which is acquired when the circle of 
friendship is startingly invaded by " the last enemy." 

Our supposed familiarity with the truth that death has all 
seasons and methods for his own, did not abate in the slightest 
degree, the shock of the announcement made on last Thurs- 
day that Mrs. Eby had been called from time to eternity ! 
That day had begun brightly for her. Her prospects were 
full of hope and promise. Friends were associating with 
her name and abilities methods of Christian work, in respect 
to which, from her known spirit of willingness, her co-ope- 
ration was confidently expected. When the tidings reached 
us, " she is dead," then the suddenness with which death 
sometimes acts both startled and silenced us. That sudden- 
ness brought out more impressively the simple, ordinary 
actions of her last hours. We recalled her showing, by her 
presence at the funeral of a friend, her sympathy with those 
who had been bereaved. We heard of her brightening 
others' homes by her visits. On the day so eventful to her 
she had, as was her wont, given by her cheerful buoyant 
spirits at the morning meal her impressions of what she 



IX MEMORIAM 11 



desired every day to be. A few hours had been filled up 
with that variety of details which contribute to each day's 
history, and then with no premonitions of it — the message 
came. A momentary sense of pain, a few rapid breathings, 
and her earthly life was ended. She had entered the unseen 
world. She had solved the problem of destiny. She knew 
the meaning of immortality and eternity ! 

Even yet it is difficult to believe that the bright face that 
formerly looked out from yonder pew is hidden forever from 
our gaze, and that the voice is stilled which fell upon our 
ears in pleasant greeting or in beautiful song. But so it is. 
The casket takes the place of the pew. Instead of the notes 
of melody there is the seal of silence upon those lips. Grief 
has dethroned enjoyment. Nought is left us of the worship- 
per who so recently bowed the head and lifted the heart in 
prayer but these remnants of mortality which we shall soon 
reverently lay to rest. And think of it! It needed but a 
moment to effect these transformations. Such changes as 
these which have turned our joy into mourning, and brought 
her into such intimate relations to the things unseen and 
eternal, have taken place in less time than it takes us to speak 
of them. 

It was the prayer of good Andrew Fuller, "Lord, be 
pleased to shake my clay cottage before Thou throwest it 
down. Make it totter awhile before it doth tumble. Let 
me be summoned before I am surprised." This is a prayer 
which, perhaps, all of us are disposed to adopt. But the 
answer to it is a matter of the Divine will and the Divine 
wisdom. Apart from the shock given to sorrowing friends 
by the sudden departure of one whom we love, there is, in 
respect to the Christian man or woman, much in connection 
with a sudden death that even makes it desirable. For it is 
a merciful preventive of wasting, wearing disease. It de- 
livers the Christian from the trials to faith that are incident 
to protracted and painful sickness. It saves him the strain 
upon his natural affections, as well as on his physical sensi- 



12 IN MEMOEIAM. 



bilities, which is often attendant npon slower methods of 
dying. It permits the healthful enjoyment of life up to its 
latest hour. And may it not he that it enhances the glorious 
surprise which hursts upon the Christian when he steps out 
from a sinful to a sinless world. 

In connection with our Lord's prophecy of the manner 
and the circumstances of the death of his apostle Peter, we 
read this suggestive comment of the inspired evangelist : 
" This He said, signifying by Avhat death he (the disciple) 
should glorify God." It is a fact, then, that by their deaths, 
as well as by their lives, Christians can be fulfilling a wise 
and holy purpose. If this be so, then there are uses to be 
subserved by a sudden death, which will glorify God. Are 
there not some such in this event ? Will not God be glori- 
fied if by reason of this great bereavement we are drawn 
nearer to Him ? Will He not be glorified if we are led to 
review our own narrow," limited theories of life, and to adopt 
others which will embrace high ideas of usefulness and lofty 
aspirations for time and for eternity ? If this event arrests 
the earthly current of feeling, if it impresses upon us the 
truth that it is our business to live for God ; if it makes the 
careless thoughtful and brings them to face their needs as 
moral and immortal beings ; it it emphasizes the truth that 
whatever else we plan for we must not leave our own eternity 
out of the account; if it stimulates a reverent inquiry in re- 
gard to another world and another life, and suggests the 
examination of our personal attitude to those great verities ; 
if it shows us how frail a tenure after all that is which we 
have upon the life that now is, which may be terminated at 
any moment ; if it leads us to a study of that Gospel of Life 
and Immortality which Jesus Christ, the sinner's Saviour, 
and the Prince of Life has revealed, who is there can deny 
that such results as these will glorify God, inasmuch as they 
tend to our highest good, and that always redounds in no 
small degree to the glory of God ! And what an honor is 
that which has been bestowed upon our sister, when her de- 



IX MEMORIAM. 13 



parture is seen to be a part of her high service to that Gocl 
who has called her to His own kingdom and glory ! 

Am I wrong in asserting that such have been the results 
of this startling: Providence-? If it has made more vivid her 
past relationship and affections, does it not also emphasize 
our duties, our needs, our privileges, our prospects also, if 
we are the children of God ? 

It is our privilege to think of her to-day as a Christian 
friend. She made a profession of faith in Christ in 1875, in 
the city of Washington. She was active there in church 
work, having taught for some time in the Bethany Mission 
Sabbath-school in that city. She was married in March, 
1877, and soon after settled in Harrisburg, and has been a 
consistent member of this church, in whose fellowship she 
died. It has been a joy to hear from Christian friends who 
knew her well, their testimony to her conscientiousness of 
life. She had a high sense of Christian obligation, which 
showed itself, among other ways, in her scrupulous avoidance 
of passing judgment upon others. She had her own exper- 
ience of trial and discipline which she bravely and uncom- 
plainingly bore, and those who knew her felt themselves 
more and more drawn to her. Simple, unaffected, strong in 
her attachments, self-denying in her affections, she was the 
source of no little happiness in the circles of friendship and 
in the still closer intimacies of the home. All of you knew 
her ; some of you knew and loved her. You shared in her 
affection. Your life was made the brighter for you by her 
intimacy. It is no little joy to you to-day to recall such fel- 
lowship. Cherish those memories. Speak about them to 
one another, but in connection with them ask the question 
as to the renewal of such communion. Indulging as we do 
the Christian's hope in respect to her, it is yours to seek the 
conditions of the re-establishment of such friendships in a 
world where they will be holier, and forever free from all 
possibility of severance. 

It would not be fitting this public occasion to add to the 



14 IN MEMOKIAM. 



grief of these stricken friends by picturing their loss. Suffice 
to say — she was a daughter and a sister who was tenderiy 
beloved and tenderly loving. The old home feeling never 
left her heart. She was a wife most faithful and affectionate. 
Her prospects in regard to her earthly future were bright. 
She was looking forward, in common with him who 
mourns her departure, to their occupancy of a beautiful 
home. Ah ! what a disappointment ! some may say. But 
is it, so far as she is concerned? Is it, when we hear the 
Master's words — "In my Father's house are many mansions. 
I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye 
may be also "? 

This daughter, sister, wife, friend, is now the subject of a 
memory which makes sacred the past, of an affection which 
asserts her present life, and of hopes which, through the 
grace of Jesus Christ, may be realized throughout a glorious 
future. May God give these sorely bereaved ones the conso- 
lation of His own presence. He is with us to-day. Let no 
grief blind us to the perception of that fact. These Gospel 
messages are the words of a living Lord. They speak to us 
of the conquest of death. They describe the glory and the 
happiness of the redeemed in the house not made with hands. 
They take the place of human messages which are so formal 
when spoken by those who do not know what grief is, and 
which are so faltering and broken when spoken by those who 
do. They illumine this hour. They span the grave with 
the prophecy of resurrection. Oh! blessed Gospel of the 
Son of God, shining in our hearts when all around is dark 
and cheerless ; a peaceful and a powerful Gospel, as the word 
of the Prince of Peace and the Conqueror of Death. Let 
these bereaved ones be assured of the sympathy of Christ, 
and the sympathy of all their brothers and sisters in sorrow. 
At the longest, life is but brief, and this separation need be 
but temporary. It may be — God forbid — an eternal separa- 
tion, if any should put away the Savior who redeemed, and 
who has now glorified her; but to all of you who accept His 



IX MEMOKIAM. 15 



salvation, there is the blessed certainty of a life that shall 
derive its highest joy from knowing Him ; and joys which, 
though not so high, will yet be wonderful, in knowing them 
who have gone before us to that world of bliss. Death be- 
comes, to every one filled with these hopes, the messenger 
of gladness. The grave is transformed into the portal of a 
resurrection glory. 

" How pleasant are thy paths, O Death ! 
From sin, to pleasing God : 
For the pardoned in thy land are bright 
As innocence in robe of white, 
And walk on the same road." 



' How pleasant are thy paths, () Death ! 

Straight to our Father's home : 
All loss were gain that gained us this, 
The sight of God ! that single bliss 

Of the grand world to come." 



At the close of the sermon, which was delivered with feel- 
ing effect, as evidenced by the close attention of the congre- 
gation, the quartette sang another appropriate hymn, with 
the following words : 



A light streams downward from the sky, 
An open door the radiance shows, 

Through which the ransomed spirits fly, 
To enter bliss no mortal knows. 

Girded with gladness in that home, 
Xo soul its sackcloth ever wears ; 

No sickness, griefs, or fears can come, 
Xor burdened heart with heavy cares, 

A tree of life with pleasant shade 
Grows in that upper Paradise ; 

Renewed from Eden's early glade, 
Its various fruit each want supplies. 



— 



16 IN MEMOEIAM. 



There flowers of grace in beauty stand, 
With fragrance of immortal bloom ; 

No blighting breath, nor icy hand, 
Demands their sweetness for the tomb. 

Sweet, sinless home ! my spirit longs 

To mount the skies, and breathe thine air 

With grateful heart to join the songs, 
Whose rolling tide flows ceaseless there. 



After the close of this hymn the congregation was dis- 
missed with the benediction. The remains were then borne 
from the church, and the funeral party were driven to the 
Philadelphia and Reading depot. A private car was in readi- 
ness to take them to Lebanon, the place of final interment, 
where they arrived at 2.50 P. M. Dr. Chambers and Rev. 
A. H. Stuclebaker accompanied the funeral party. 



THE LAST SAD RITES AT LEBANON. 

A large number of friends received the funeral party at 
the depot, and followed the remains to St. John's Reformed 
Church, where another service was held. As the remains 
were borne up the aisle of the church, Rev. A. H. Stude- 
baker, of Harrisburg, repeated the words of the burial ser- 
vice, and then read from the pulpit the Scripture lesson. 
After appropriate singing by the choir, the Rev. Thos. S. 
Johnson, D. D., of Lebanon, delivered the following ser- 
mon. Having known the deceased in her childhood, his 
beautiful words were all the more appropriate to the sad 
occasion. 



IX MEMORIAM. 17 



THE SERMON. 

" And his disciples came, and took up the body and buried it, and went and 
told Jesus." — Matthew 14, 12. 

The disciples of John were sorely bereaved. Their be- 
loved master was dead, and their hearts were oppressed with 
grief. After performing the last sad rites of sepulture, they 
" went and told Jesus." Bereavements in all the ages past, 
and in all to come, have saddened and will continue to sad- 
den human hearts. Xo rank or condition of society is ex- 
empt. To-day in the highest social circles of the land the 
dark cloud is resting upon a bereaved household. The Sec- 
retary of State, at the capital of the nation, suddenly deprived 
of a loving daughter, and now the companion of his bosom, 
is a sad example of the sudden transition from joy to grief to 
which we are all liable. Also the deceased who now lies at 
this holy altar, in the narrow house, beautifully decked with 
the offerings of love, the beauty and fragrance of which sym- 
bolizes the loveliness of her character and life. I have known 
her for a score of years — have seen her develop from youth to 
womanhood, filling the various relations of life — daughter, sis- 
ter, wife, and friend — with all the graces of virtue, friendship, 
and love. Her warm, noble heart beat with generous im- 
pulses, and many shared her beneficence, and feel to-day their 
loss. Yes ! this dark cloud has settled suddenly upon many 
a heart before me. Its deep, chilling folds are enveloping 
us with the mantle of despair. Where shall we find relief 
in this hour of midnight gloom ? Xo star lights up the fir- 
mament — all is darkness. In vain we resort to the teachings 
of philosophy. The coldness of the stoic intensifies the 
gloom. Xor can the sympathy of loving friends assuage our 
grief. The shadow still continues, the heavy pall envelops 
our sinking spirits. Like the bereaved disciples, we " can 
go and tell Jesus." We can go to Him with the assurance 
that He will hear us, and grant us the relief which our agon- 
ized hearts require. For He is man as well as God. He is 



18 IN MEMOEIAM. 



human as well as divine. As a man he is linked to humanity 
" He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
Mary." He took upon himself our nature, and in it had all 
the experience of human life. He felt the pangs of bereave- 
ment, and wept. He thus touched humanity at every point, 
and still is " touched with a feeling of our infirmities," so 
that we can approach Him, and find in Him a sympathetic 
friend. Let us take this view of Him, and we shall find 
comfort in every trying hour. But if we look upon Him 
only as a God, high and exalted, dwelling amid the lofty 
grandeur of the heavens, or as a being of infinite greatness 
and glory, far beyond the bounds of mortal ken, then the very 
thought separates us by infinite distances, and our souls 
shrink within us at the impassable gulf which lies between. 
But when we contemplate him as " God manifest in the 
flesh " — our brother, as one who is ever present with us, 
stretching towards us hands of love, speaking sweet, gentle 
words of cheer, then it is that His voice will say to the 
stormy elements in our breast, as it did to the raging waves 
and howling tempest, " Peace ! be still !" and there shall be 
a quiet calm. 

Dearly beloved, the greatest relief for the human heart in 
its hours of deepest sorrow is to " go and tell Jesus." When 
all other sources fail and all other efforts are in vain, this 
will be found to be the balm for the wound, the certain source 
of true and lasting comfort. For as we tell Jesus, his life 
and words come to our minds, and we see how He did under 
similar circumstances. How in the darkest hour He ex- 
claimed : " Not My will, but thine be clone ! " Submission 
to His Father's will marked every successive conflict, every 
mystic pang, every agony, all that He suffered, all that He 
endured. This is the lesson for us. Entire submission to 
the sovereign rule of God will bring to the soul that peace 
which flows from the harmony thus established between the 
human and the divine. For to be in perfect harmony with 
God is the sum and substance of human bliss. In Christ. 



IN MEMOKIAM. 19 



this harmony is restored. He knows all our griefs, He knows 
why this bereavement, He knows, though we cannot see it, 
that it is an expression of tender love. He knows that as 
the years roll by, and we " know even as we are known," 
that all this sadness will turn to joy, this darkness will 
vanish before the clearer golden light of hope. That out of 
the repulsive, cold, chilly tomb will come the form of the 
departed, more lovely and beauteous than ever. " For this 
corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall 
put on immortality, and death shall be swallowed up in vic- 
tory." For Jesus has said, " I am the resurrection and the 
life." He looks down and watches all our dust till He 
shall bid it arise. And now, beloved friends of the deceased, 
take up your precious one, carry her forth to the city of the 
dead, deposit that lovely frame, lay it gently, lovingly to 
rest, let it wait the resurrection of the just, " then go and 
tell Jesus." He is ready to hear your sorrows. The very 
effort will bring relief. For as you speak to Him you shall 
feel the glow of sympathy, the gentle touch of love, the pul- 
sation of His great and noble heart which beats for you and 
for all our race. Then shall this " dark night end in joyous 
day." 

AT MOUNT LEBANON. 

Immediately following the close of the services in the 
church, the funeral party was driven to Mount Lebanon 
Cemetery, where the remains were deposited in their earthly 
home. Dr. Chambers recited the last sad rites over the 
grave, and thus ended all that the church and loving friends 
could do in respect to her they loved so well, consistent with 
the requirements of a Christian burial. 



20 IN MEMOKIAM. 



SERVICES IN THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 

SERVICES HELD IN THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF THE PINE STREET PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, THE SABBATH FOLLOWING- THE 
DEATH OF MRS. EMMA FORNEY EBY. 

The 90th psalm had been selected by the superintendent, 
Mr. Seiler, for the Scripture lesson of that day, as far as the 
12th verse. 

Mr. Seiler said that the writer of this psalm was " Moses, 
the Man of God," who had brought, by God's command, 
the host of Israel out of the house of bondage. He then 
read from the twenty-sixth chapter of Numbers, the 63d, 
64th, and 65th verses, referring to the numbering of the 
children of Israel by Moses, and emphasized especially the 
closing part of the 65th verse — "And there was not left a 
man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua 
the son of Nun." Out of that vast multitude only two 
were left. The rest had perished by the way. The 90th 
psalm was their funeral dirge. Well might the servant of 
God exclaim : " Thou earnest them away as with a flood : 
They are as a sleep : in the morning they are like grass which 
groweth up. In the morning it nourisheth, and groweth 
up ; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth." 

Since the days of Moses the frailt} T of human life has been 
in no wise mended. It is still like the grass of the tield. So 
we hear with more or less pain of the death of a friend or of 
a neighbor, and we reckon it as a part of oar daily reading. 
It makes us sad. But there are deaths so saddening by their 
suddenness that we are stunned and stand in reverent silence 
— speechless with awe. Such was the death of Mrs. Eby — 
without a moment's premonition. Now in the glow of life, the 
next minute with the seal of death impressed upon her. Awfully 
sudden was her departure; but, thank God, she went not 
unprepared. Sometime — years ago, in the quiet stillness of 
her chamber, perhaps — she had listened reverently to the 



IX MEMOKIAM. 21 



voice of the Spirit saying : "Daughter, give me thy heart." 
There and then she solemnly decided that but " one thing 
was needful." And now we can well believe that the Master 
may say of her, as He did of another when upon earth, 
l< She has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken 
away from her." If she had had time to frame a message 
for us of this school, it might have been the language of this 
twelfth verse — " So teach us to number our days as to apply 
our hearts unto wisdom." And the fear of God is the be- 
erinninff of wisdom. Since her tongue could utter no word 
her life must speak for her ; but this is not the time for 
eulogy. Our hearts are too full of sorrow for our loss. 
How she labored, how she loved, how she taught — of this 
we may speak at some future time. Let us from her death 
learn the lesson of our mortality. Let us be wise as she was, 
and make our calling and election sure. Let us hear as she 
heard, the voice of the Master saying : " Come unto Me." 

Mr. Seiler relates the following interesting as well as sug- 
gestive incident that was influenced by the Christian death 
of Mrs. Eby. 

A few days after her burial, two of her Sabbath-school 
class came before the session as candidates for admission in 
the church. They were asked what first called their serious 
attention to the subject of religion. The reply of both, 
though separately examined, was, "the death of our teacher;" 
and further said that on the Sabbath immediately preceding 
her death, when the pastor had given notice at the close of 
the session that he would meet any who desired to commune 
upon the subject of personal religion, that their teacher earn- 
estly urged upon all her scholars to respond to Mr. Cham- 
bers' invitation. So impressed were they that they could no 
longer forbear. They were received at the session upon a 
credible profession of their faith. 



22 IN MEMOKIAM. 



AN AFFECTIONATE TKIBUTE. 

At a special meeting of the Harrisburg (Pa.) Wednesday's 
Ladies' Musical Club, January 29, 1886, the following record 
was directed to be placed upon its minutes : 

It is with deep sorrow and regret that we learn of the sad death 
of our loved friend and president, Mrs. W. H. Eby. We shall feel 
her loss keenly, for her place in the club can never be refilled. 
Since its organization she has been a most active and efficient mem- 
ber, one who had the interest of the club close at heart and who 
was ever willing and ready to aid its work with her sweet voice 
and friendly counsel. 

As our president for the winter 1 885-' 86 she had planned and 
partly carried out an interesting course of study, which, in loving 
memory of her, we shall endeavor to complete, after suspending the 
meetings during the month of February. 

To her husband and family we extend our heartfelt sympathy, 
and mourn with them for one endeared to us all as a friend. 

A copy of this minute was directed to be sent to her hus- 
band and parents. 



COMMENTS OF THE PKESS. 



The following extracts are taken from some few of the 
notices which appeared in the Harrisburg, Pa., papers, and 
in those in other localities where the -deceased was known 
and beloved : 

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. EBY. 

A WELL-KNOWN LADY SUDDENLY EXPIRES WHILE SITTING WITH HER 

HUSBAND. 

[From Harrisburg {Pa.) Evening Telegraph, January 28, i886.~\ 

Mrs. Emma Forney-Eby, wife of Wra. Howard Eby, Esq., the 
well-known coal dealer, died suddenly at their apartment on Second 
street, near the Bolton House, at 1 o'clock to-day, of paralysis of 
the brain. Mrs. Eby was at the Bolton House this morning for 
breakfast, and it was remarked that she was unusually lively and full 
of spirits. About half-past twelve o' clock this afternoon she was sitting 
at the front window looking out on Second street, reading a letter, 
her husband sitting near her. Suddenly she complained of a most 
severe pain in her head, which did not cease on the application of 
remedies, but continued to grow worse and worse. Mr. Eby hur- 
riedly summoned physicians and Dr. Rahter was the first to arrive. 
Mrs. Eby at that time was breathing but faintly and was evidently 
in the death agonies. Drs. Orth and Coover soon afterward reached 
the house, but Mrs. Eby was dead at five minutes of one o'clock. 

Mrs. Eby was Miss Emma Forney, of Washington, D. C, and a 
daughter of D. C. Forney, Esq., formerly publisher of the Wash- 
ington Chronicle. She was married in that city about eight years 
ago, the event being a memorable one in society circles. In Har- 
risburg she was known as a most lovable woman and affectionate 
wife, with a host of friends, every one of whom loved and respected 
her. Deceased was a member of the Pine Street Presbyterian 
Church and taught a class in that Sunday-school. She was a lady 
of rare musical ability, and at the Thursday Club concert a week 
ago she was the principal solo singer. She was prominent in society 
circles, and a lady of very engaging manner. 



24 IN MEMOKIAM. 



The announcement of her death was a severe shock to her friends, 
many of whom doubted the news until a call at the residence con- 
firmed the sad tidings. Grief was manifest on every countenance, 
and there has not been a death in Harrisburg for a long time that 
has occasioned so much regret and sorrow. 



SUDDEN SAD DEATH. 

The Harrisburg (Pa.) Evening Independent of January 28, 
1886, after giving full particulars of Mrs. Eby's sudden death, 
and the shock it had on the community, said of the deceased : 

Mrs. Eby was the wife of W. H. Eby, and the eldest daughter of 
D. C. Forney, of Washington City. She was born in Lebanon, 
her mother being a daughter of the late Joseph Reinhard, of that 
city. She was highly educated, accomplished and endowed with 
brilliant social qualities. No pains were spared by her parents in 
fitting her for life's duties, as well as pleasures, and she had a place 
in the society of the national capital which she adorned even at her 
girlhood with a grace and winsome charm which won her admirers 
among old and young. Though her married life was short, it was 
full of endearment and beauty, present pleasure and inspiring hope 
for the future, for which a magnificent home was fast approaching 
completion, over the portals of which the young wife will never 
pass. Mr. Eby has the sympathy of the entire community in his 
crushing bereavement. 



[From the Morning Call, Harrisburg, Pa., January 2g, i886.~\ 

The Call, in an article on the deceased, said : 

She was a woman of rare attainments and in the circle in which 
she moved a great favorite. Vivacious of spirit, handsome of face 
and form, and engaging in manners, she was a person to be idol- 
ized not only in the home circle but out of it as well. She was the 
daughter of D. Carpenter Forney, of Washington, at whose house 
she was made the wife of Mr. Eby about eight years ago. During 
her life in this city she endeared herself in the hearts of her friends, 
all of whom feel that in her death they have lost one who was more 
to them than simply an acquaintance or friend. Besides being 
highly educated, cultured and refined, she was possessed of a voice 



IN MEMORIAM. 25 



of rare beauty and ranked high as a vocalist ; was an ardent lover 
of the art, and paid considerable attention to its developments. 
She was one of the shining lights of the Thursday Club and took a 
very active part in its soiree. 



[Fro?n the Harrisbnrg {Pa.) Patriot, January 29, 1886.'] 

The Patriot added its tribute by saying : 

The visitation of death is unwelcome at all times, but when it 
comes as it did yesterday, without a signal of its dread approach,, 
and removes a lady with the social attainments and humane im- 
pulses of Mrs. Emma, wife of William Howard Eby, then the sor- 
row which accompanies it is tenfold. 

After repeating the particulars of her sudden death the 
article closes by saying : 

Eight years ago the deceased lady, the beautiful daughter of Mr. 
D. C. Forney, of Washington, was united in marriage to Mr. Eby, 
and since her residence in this city has endeared herself to a large 
circle of people. As a member of Pine Street Presbyterian Church 
and a teacher of one of its Sunday-school classes, Mrs. Eby assisted 
the cause of Christianity, and her services were appreciated alike by 
the pastor and people. In her death an estimable and accomplished 
lady passes away, but the recollection of what she has done will be 
fresh in the memory of those who knew her when the mound above 
her shall have wasted away to the level of the common earth. 



[From the Lebanon {Pa.) Advertiser.'] 

The Advertiser closes its comments as follows : 
How sad the home where the affectionate wife and daughter glad- 
dened the hearts of husband and parents. Gloom and despair have 
suddenly come into the brightest sunshine and happiness. The 
loved form lies buried in the narrow house. Death has closed the 
eyelids, and the sweet voice of sympathy and love has joined the 
heavenly choir. Oh, the sad hearts that mourn her departure. Oh, 
the anguish that burdens the souls of the bereaved in their lonely 
homes. No beauty now in sunshine ; all days are alike gloomy and 
dark. And yet there is a solace for aching hearts, the hope of a 



26 IN MEMOKIAM. 



blessed reunion in the heavenly home where our sainted dead w 
wait our coming. 

Farewell ! earthly life is now o'er, 

The time of probation is now run, 
Thy spirit has gone to the untrodden shore, 
And the race of immortal begun. 

Farewell ! no fetters can bind, 

No sorrow or sickness molest. 
For in heaven the ransomed soul shall find 

A haven of blissful rest. 



[From the Buffalo [JV. Y.) Express, February 4*i886.~\ 

The deceased having resided for a short time in Buffalo, 
the Express in announcing her demise, said : 

The sudden death of Mrs. William H. Eby, which occurred at 
her home in Harrisburg, Pa., January 28th, will bring sorrow to 
many hearts here. Although Buffalo was her residence but for a 
few months, her sprightliness and amiability had won her many 
friends, and her return to Harrisburg was greatly regretted. 



[From the Washington (D. C.) Sunday Capital,"] 

The Capital in noting the sudden death of Mrs. Eby 
added : 

Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Forney have the sincere sympathy of a large 
circle of friends in their sorrow over the death of their daughter 
Emma. Mrs. Eby was born at Lebanon, Pa., and save when she 
was at boarding-school, lived here until her marriage. Her sweet 
nature, her lovely character, and her sprightly intelligence, together 
with her many accomplishments, made her very popular in society. 
She was always eagerly welcomed upon her visits to Washington 
from her home in Harrisburg. Her sudden death following so 
closely upon her return from one of those pleasant visits to Wash 
ington shocked and saddened the many friends who had met her 
so agreeably while she was with her parents at the Portland. 



IX MFMORIAM. 27 



A TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND TO THE MEMORY OF A FRIEND. 

The following beautiful tribute to the memory of the 
deceased was written by a friend who had great admiration 
for her musical ability, and published in the Harrisburg 
(Pa.) Morning Gall, February 4th, 1886 : 

"Good-bye, summer! Good-bye, good-bye!" 

The pathetic melody of Tosti's Aria, which fell on the ears of 
many at the late "Thursday Concert," brings the memory of the 
past summer to the friends of Mrs. Wm. H. Eby. We recall her 
winning smile, her sweet graciousness of manner, her bright, merry 
salutation ; all are fresh as the perfume of summer roses. She gaily 
tossed a friend in passing her widow — 

" Good-bye, summer ! Good-bye, good-bye ! 
Shadows rising on you and me ! " 

Hidden away on that memorable evening, when replete with life 
and health, she warbled her " song. ' ' Concealed in silken drapery, 
peeping out from gay buds and smooth-leaved smilax, was the 
"shadow" of death. 

She stood among the many yet alone ; for the Master marked her 
for his own, and said, "I will call thee my child ; " laid His hand 
upon her brow, and she arose and followed Him. 

Without wasting sickness, without visible pain, in all her sweet, 
womanly beauty she went to the eternal summer-land, where there 
is neither winter nor night. 

" What are we waiting for ! " 

Only for His call. Happy, then, for us, as itjwas for her, that we 
need follow Saoli Tosti's song no farther, nor sigh — 

" Good-bye to hope ! Good-bye, good-bye." 



Her friends have the comforting assurance of a sweet "hope" 
beyond the darkness of the grave, of a long and blissful "summer 
time " in the land of the blessed. There immortal flowers bloom, 



28 IN MEMOKIAM. 



and the happy spirits of the loved wait and watch for the coming 
of those who linger yet a little while upon the earth. 

" Sleep soft, beloved ! we sometimes say, 
But have no power to charm away 

Sad dreams. 
But never doleful dreams again 
Shall break their happy slumbers, when 
He giveth his beloved sleep." 

Mrs. E. T. Detweiler. 
Halifax, Pa., February $d, 1886. 



LETTERS OF SYMPATHY AET> CONDOLENCE. 



Of the hundreds of letters of sympathy and condolence re- 
ceived from kindred and loving friends from all parts of the 
country, but a fractional number appear in these pages, for 
the want of sufficient space as one reason, and because of a 
desire to preserve as far as possible a certain privacy to the 
Memorial. To do this, those that are used are confined to 
the immediate family of the deceased and her most intimate 
and dear friends. 

Lebanon, Pa, January 29, 1886. 
My Dear Brother : 

My heart bleeds for you in your great affliction. The news of 
the death of your dear daughter came upon us with crushing sad- 
ness. I look around in vain to find some resource of consolation 
for you in the form of human expression — there is none ! there 
is none ! outside of our only refuge, Jesus Christ. Look to Him, 
lean upon Him, my dear brother, in this hour of your deep sad- 
ness, and He will sustain you. Your loss, our loss and the loss 
of a circle of friends and companions is the gain of your dear child, 
who has gone to join the company of the redeemed 111 Heaven. 
What a welcome is hers from her angel friends on the beautiful shore. 
Think of the greeting our sainted sister will give her, as well as of 
that of a host of the departed. All things, we are told, work together 
for our good. Let us endeavor to realize the truth of this sacred 
declaration and look up with abiding hope — hope, the sheet-anchor 
of our being in time and in eternity. God bless you and your wife 
and only remaining child, and pray that He will vouchsafe you all 
the consolation that He alone can impart My wife, daughter and 
son join me in blending our sympathy and tears with yours over 
the loss of your dear daughter Emma. 

Your brother truly, Chas. B. Forney. 



30 IN MEMOKIAM. 



Philadelphia, January 29, 1886. 
My Dear Brother and Sister : 

Lessie and I have just been advised by the morning Press of the 
death of your darling daughter Emma, which has filled our hearts 
with great sorrow. My dear brother and sister, you can rest as- 
sured you have our heartfelt sympathy and condolence in your ter- 
rible bereavement. Just as soon as we can we will be with you to 
comfort and stand by you in your great affliction. Till then, dear 
brother and sister, accept our love and affection. 
Truly your brother and sister, 

George and Lessie. 



No. 618 South Washington Square, 

Philadelphia, March 26, 1886. 
My Dear Carpenter and Kate : 

I cannot write you cold words of sympathy ; I am sure you know 
how deeply we all feel for you in your great trouble. Emma was 
so full of life and health, so beautiful and so young, that many more 
years of happiness seemed promised for her. Terrible as is the 
shock of sudden death to the living, it is merciful to those who die. 
Emma was spared the agonies of a sick-bed and has passed away in 
all the perfection of her womanly beauty. You can remember her 
dead just as she lived. The picture your mind holds of her is un- 
marred by the ravages of sickness, and you can think that she fell 
into her sleep without a twinge of suffering. 

Believe me in all sympathy and love, 

Mrs. J. W. Forney. 



No. 15 14 Pine Street, 
Philadelphia, Friday Morning, Jan. 29, 1S86. 
My Dear Uncle and Aunt : 

I want to write and I don't know what to say ; I am very, very 
sad. It is so sudden a blow I cannot realize — I don't want to — 
that the sweet, beautiful girl is gone. I shall keep her in my 



IN MEMORIAM 31 



mind as I saw her last here with me, and it is a forlorn conso- 
lation that my dear husband learned to love her as I did. We 
were little girls when we first met. We loved each other then, 
and the love, deepening as we grew up, never left us until the 
end. It was good for me, I know. Now I have of her a sweet, 
a dear remembrance. Surely she lived well. I like to think of the 
days we spent together. I like to think of her exquisite face, of 
her beautiful voice with its undertone of melancholy, of her deep 
appreciation for all things beautiful and good, of her charming 
manners, of her tenderness — the food for thought is plentiful. Best 
of all I love to recall that childlike simplicity, that eager desire 
to learn, to grow, that never left her. She was always on the 
way to the kingdom. Young, beautiful, charming and — humble 
as one of the little children spoken of in the old, old story ; it is a 
pleasure to have her now, even in thought, to know that she lived 
and helped "to make the earth sweet." 

Anna Forney Brush. 



Lebanon, Pa., February 4, 1886. 
My Dear Sister Kate : 

Now that dear Emma's body has been tenderly laid away in 
her last earthly home, and you and Carp, have returned to Wash- 
ington, I can better enter into your feelings over your great loss, 
by the agony of my heart when the news of her death first 
reached me. I was quietly sitting in my room when a telegram 
was handed me saying that "Emma was ill, come at once." 
In a half hour later another telegram telling us "Emma is 
dead ' ' ' Was it a horrible dream ? Was I awake ? Could it be 
possible that my beloved niece, upon whom I had centered so much 
affection, who was so loving and good during her life, to me and 
mine, was dead ? When I think of the agony we all went through 
from the time of her death until her burial, and what you and her 
father suffered, I can scarcely understand how we stood it. God, 
however, supplies strength for all sorrows, and He will for yours 
and ours. Great as our loss is the gift of such a child should be 
very dear to you. Her memory will afford you and us much com- 
fort as we grow older and learn to understand the meaning of her 
early death. God bless and sustain you both. 

Aunty Rosa. 



32 IIST MEMOKIAM. 



Office of the Daily News, 

Lebanon, Pa., January 28, 1886. 
My Dear Uncle and Aunt : 

Just as my family and self were seated at supper the painful in- 
telligence reached us of the sudden and unexpected death of 
Cousin Emma, whom we all so fondly and devotedly loved for her 
many qualities, both of heart and mind. Like a crash of thunder 
from a cloudless sky did the intelligence strike upon my ear, 
and my own grief over her untimely death tells my heart how 
crushing must be the affliction to you and Aunt Kate in this, 
your dark hour of tribulation. God, in this instance, has plucked 
another bright flower from earth for a home beyond the rolling 
Jordan, where all trials and sorrows are ended and the weary 
spirit is at rest forever more. " Life's fitful feyer is o'er and she 
sleeps well," and if we could, probably we would hesitate to call 
her back from the heavenly chorus she has gone to join in the New 
Jerusalem. " None knew her but to love her ; nor named her but 
to praise;" but what were all these in comparison to that undying, 
never ending and unquenchable parents' love which animates the 
heart of us all. Wealth has its pleasures, society its fascinations, 
poverty its sorrows and pangs, but all these pale into insignificance 
by the side of that heaven-born love for our children which the 
Almighty has implanted in our bosoms, and which only increases 
as we go tottering towards the grave. But in our disconsolation 
the dark cloud of grief and sorrow has nevertheless a silvery lining, 
and we can felicitate ourselves in the happy reflection that the part- 
ing with the dead is at most but temporary, and that angel eyes are 
watching for our coming to receive us when "life's dark day is 
done." I can weep with both of you and mourn for her who was 
the very apple of your eye ; but all this avails nothing. Let us 
rather take comfort in that beautiful scriptural injunction which 
says, " Come unto Me all ye that are weary and heavily laden and 
I will give you rest." If the tenderest or much-loving sympathy 
could soothe your sorrow, believe me you have'it sincerely from me, 
who so fully knows the poignant grief you both now experience 
over the death of a loving, accomplished, and dutiful daughter. 
That God may sustain and strengthen you both in your affliction is 
my fervent prayer. 

Yours, in deep sympathy and affection, 

Jos. Reinhard. 



IN MEMOKIAM. 33 



427 Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y., February 2, 1886. 
Dear Mr. Eby: 

The newspaper from Harrisburg, received yesterday, brought 
me a great grief and shock. I cannot now realize that the bright, 
young face I remember with so much pleasure will never smile 
on me again. I have before me a pretty calendar which she sent 
me from Washington at Christmas and which I have failed to 
acknowledge, only because of the daily and absorbing cares and 
duties which come from moving. It is a sad lesson to me never 
to postpone acknowledging a kindness or remembrance. I can well 
understand how terrible the shock must have been to you, and how 
long it will take you to realize that your sweet wife has passed from 
your presence forever. Do accept the deep sympathy which I feel 
for you as a little comfort in this your trying affliction. I have a 
sweet photograph of your dear wife, which I have just arranged with 
others in my room. It will often recall the pleasant intercourse we 
had here, and the loveliness of her character, which I learned to ap- 
preciate in our short but delightful friendship. 

With deepest sympathy and sincere regard, I am your friend, 

Mrs. Mary E. Mixer. 



Buffalo, N. Y., February 18, 1886. 
Dear Mr. Eby : 

I was greatly shocked, a few days ago, to learn of your dear 
wife's death. It came to me in such a way I thought there must 
be some mistake, but alas ! I learned the sad tidings were correct, 
and that indeed our dear friend had passed away forever. Even 
then I could not grasp the fact that one so young and apparently 
in such improved health could have passed away so suddenly, but 
it proves only another instance of our dependence upon a higher 
power for every breath we draw. After all, is it not the most de- 
sirable and beautiful way to leave this world — one moment here and 
the next with our Lord ? This dear woman, having wisely arranged 
for either a long or short pilgrimage, was prepared to meet the 
summons to come up higher, and is now in the enjoyment of her 
loving Savior. This unexpected affliction is nevertheless a crushing 
blow to you and a sad ending of the happy days anticipated with 
this sweet wife in the delightful home you had just provided for her, 



IN MEMORIAM. 



and which she has told me would quite complete her happiness in 
this world. But the dear Lord was meanwhile preparing for her "a 
mansion above, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
That I sympathize with you, my friend, in your great loss, you must 
know, for I had learned to love her well for her many fine qualities 
and sweet ways. 

Most sincerely, Mrs. A. M. Stone, 



Harrisburg, Pa., February 12, 1886. 
Mr. W. H. Eby. 

Dear Will : Ever since those dark days last week I have longed 
to send some word to you, and yet every day shows me that there 
is no word that I can say to help you. But knowing how Emma 
and I have truly loved each other from the very first, you will not 
feel even a poor word from me out of place, for he*" sake. That 
you have my constant and tenderest sympathy all the time you need 
no assurance. That I would like to do anything in the world to 
help you, too, you know. Oh, Will, for her dear sake, do try to 
be brave through these terrible lonely days. The dear Lord who 
loved her and whom she loved will help you, and only He can. 
Stand firm in that one thing, and surely help will come. Won't 
you come up and see us, and if we can, let us be of some little comfort 
to you. 

Always your sincere friend. 

Sue Marie Wierman. 



Harrisburg, February 4, 1886. 
Mr. W. H. Eby. 

Will : I have been wanting to write and let you know how sin- 
cerely I sympathize with you ever since your great sorrow came 
upon you. I thought I would wait until the sad time of laying 
Emma to rest was over and then write. I know from experience 
how little comfort words are at such a time. It was a great shock 
to us coming so soon after papa's death, and I couldn't believe it 
at first. I had just said I wanted to see Emma soon and thank her 
for her beautiful tribute to papa, and shortly after heard of her 
death. She was beloved by all and will be sorely missed. I can- 



IX MEMORIAM. 35 



not believe I will never hear her voice again. You know, Will, you 
have our most heartfelt sympathy in this great trouble. 
Sincerely your friend, 

Mollie V. Bingham. 



U. S. Marine Barracks, Commanding Officer's Office, 

Norfolk, V a., January 29, 1886. 
My Dear Cousin : 

I have just learned of the great and sudden blow that has stricken 
us all down, in the loss of dear Emma. You know how much I 
loved her, and it was only such a short time that she wrote me 
such a kind, sweet letter. Tillie and myself and all at Philadel- 
phia are deeply grieved. I wish, my dear fellow, I could help 
you ; you know there is nothing I would not do to alleviate the 
sorrow that has fallen on Cousin Kate and yourself. I can say 
no more. 

Yours sincerely, James Forney. 



2226 Trinity Place, 
Philadelphia, January 29, 1886. 
My Dear Cousin Kate : 

We are heart-sore indeed to learn of sweet Emma's death. 
She was so bright and lovely when I saw her last, it seems impossi- 
ble to think of her cold in death. Alas ! why should one so full 
of life — such a pleasure to all who knew her — be the one chosen 
to go. Her sympathetic voice sounds in my ears yet. If there 
are angels in Heaven she is one of them to-day. We can only send 
you love and sympathy, and do that with a sorrowful heart. 

Mary Forney Weigley. 



Gilsey House, New York City, 
Sunday Evening, February 7, 1886. 
Wm. H. Eby, Esq. 

My Dear Sir : I was greatly .surprised and shocked on receiv- 
ing a copy of the Daily Patriot, a few days since, to learn of the 
death of your dear wife. Taken from you in so sudden and unex- 
pected a manner, you must be overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. 



36 IN MEMOEIAM. 



I know how fond and devoted she was to you ; always faithful, true 
and tender, and by this means I know what an irreparable loss you 
have met with, and what a scene of bereavement you are passing 
through. Please accept my most cordial and sincere sympathy, and 
allow me to tell you how sorry I feel for you. 

To-day I have just received the little memorial offering which you 
were so thoughtful as to send me. I shall preserve it with care. 
Much as I value it, I did not require anything to hold her beauty of 
person and of character in my mind. I esteem your wife one of the 
sweetest women I have ever met. You were peculiarly blessed that 
you were allowed to keep her by your side so long, although, look- 
ing back, the years must seem short. I hope God will support you, 
as well as her father and mother, through this terrible affliction. 
Very sincerely and cordially your friend, 

Lura B. Greene. 



MY TKIBUTE TO COUSIN EMMA. 

Like a flower she bloomed on life's pathway, 

Diffusing a fragrance of love ; 
God thought the way was too thorny; 

He reclaimed her to realms above. 

We weep in our pitiful madness o'er 

A sweet life we say is cut short. 
We mistake, it is she who is living 

The true life her virtues have bought. 

She is tenderly watching her dear ones, 

From the height of the realms she has gained ; 

She is anxiously guiding their footsteps 
From sun-rise till day has waned. 

Her life was a boon and a blessing; 

Her death shines the beacon-light 
That will guide us safe into the harbor, 

Should we steer our bark aright. 

Home. 
Philadelphia, Pa. Tillie May Forney. 

Washington, D. C, January 29, 1886. 
Dear Uncle Carpenter: 

What can I say to comfort you, Aunt Kate, and Mr. Eby, in 



IN MEMORIAM. 37 



this sad hour? My heart goes out to you. May God have mercy, 
and help you bear this terrible blow. I only learned the sad news 
this morning through the papers, and it has completely unnerved 
me. Words seem so useless, and I feel there is nothing I can say 
to you that will be of any comfort, but I want you to know that I 
sympathize deeply with you all in this dark hour, and pray that you 
may have strength given you to bear this great sorrow. 
With much love and sympathy, yours in sorrow, 

Julia A. Forney. 



1008 I Street, Washington, D. C, January 28, 1886. 
My Dear Forney : 

We are all grief-stricken at the terrible affliction which has fallen 
upon your household and upon the households of her friends. I 
can say no words of condolence, except that we grieve for you, and 
we grieve for ourselves, for we all loved her. 

Love to Mrs. Forney and kind regards to you and Mr. Eby. 
Your friend, 

D. W. Mahon. 

To these kind words are added the subjoined comforting assurances 
of Mrs. Mahon, who in further proof of her great sympathy, joined 
the heart-stricken parents of the deceased in Harrisburg, Pa., and 
remained with them during all the first hours of their sorrow, min- 
istering to their relief. 

Thursday Night. 
My Very Dear Friends : 

I am not equal to writing you, but I cannot keep silent ! My 
eyes are brimful ; my heart aches, hard and sore, as I am travel- 
ing with you to-night in spirit and in fervent prayer. Our house- 
hold, even to our children (Davy and Katy), and our servants 
are paralyzed from the appalling shock we received about half-past 
six p. m. I immediately telephoned to know "if you were at 
The Portland," that I might go to you, but the answer was: 
"You would leave at seven o'clock," so it was too late. 
And now, my very dear friends, I intrude myself upon you only 
from the deepest, sincerest love of my heart, to assuie you if there 
can be any comfort to your more than agonized hearts, at this 



38 IN MEMOKIAM. 



sudden bereavement, in human words, in human love, and heartfelt 
sympathy, you both well know you have that in its fullest measure, 
from all of us here. But knowing, my very dear friends, that words, 
love, and sympathy are nought in this terrible suffering — this ordeal 
you are passing through — just let me whisper, only One can help 
you. He loves you both. He hath chastened you severely. " He 
chasteneth those whom He loves. ' ' He has taken your precious 
child, who lavished her sweetness all around her, to bloom in Para- 
dise — her home ! We know not why, but ' ' we shall know hereafter. ' ' 
She was lovely here ; she is lovelier in glory to-night ! In a lovelier 
home than earth could ever furnish, and with her angelic voice 
chanting the sweet anthems of the heavenly choir. Oh ! dear 
friends, try and bear this heavy blow. I pray God to comfort, 
help you, and strengthen you, and so I shall continue to pray for 
you. Please let me know, if you can, when she is to be buried. 
And oh ! how that word grates upon me ! for loving her so dearly, 
and Annie and she so loving and devoted to each other, I feel as if 
a part of myself was gone. God bless and keep you, dear, dear 
friends. 

In the fulness of my aching heart, I am lovingly yours, 

Jane O. Mahon. 

Lebanon, Pa., January 29, 1886. 
Dear Mr. Forney : 

Our hearts go out to you in this sad hour of your life, and 
we feel as if it were one of our own who has passed so suddenly 
away. If human words or sympathy could reach and heal your 
sorrows, Aunt Kate and yourself could rest assured that the 
friends here would heal them, but you must put your trust in 
an all-wise Providence, who doeth all things well ; and 1 hope 
and trust that you may find in Him that relief from your grief 
and sorrow which you both so much need. Please convey to Mr. 
Eby our heartfelt sorrow and sympathy for him in his sad be- 
reavement, whose loss we know can never be replaced. We can 
do nothing more than to commend you to your Maker, in the 
hope that you may be able to see that it is all for the best. 
Emma was very dear to Mary and myself, and while we know that 
she is far better off in that land above, we feel her loss so keenly 
that we cannot express it in words. 

May God sustain you all. John H. Hoffer. 



IX MEMORIAM. 39 



1727 F Street, Washington, Jan. 28, 1886. 
Dear Mr. Forney : 

Mrs. Bailey came for me, and she and 1 hastened to The 
Portland — just as you and Mrs. Forney left the hotel. What 
shall I say to you? Dear, dear Emma ! Surely no words of mine 
are needed to add one tribute to her worth. Sweet child, ever 
so kind, so devoted a daughter. I wish I could be with you and 
Mrs. Forney to-night. I might say a world "in season'' that 
I may fail to write. You know how fond I ever have been of 
dear Emma. As I write, tears blind me ; my heart aches that she 
we all loved and prized has gone ! Well, she will receive the vic- 
tor's crown — "to him who overcometh." She is in her Father's 
house — a blessed rest — far from all sorrow, and " God shall wipe 
away all tears from her eyes." Oh ! what a noble spirit was hers, 
and how it illumined her character, making it the admiration of all 
who knew her ! Do pardon all of this ; but my heart is so full. 
May God bless you both, granting you His peace. Is there any- 
thing I can do for you? Anything in my power I will do for you 
and dear Mrs. Forney. Tell her I love her. I sympathize with 
her as only one can who loved Emma as I did. I was so disturbed 
in my mind about Mrs. Forney this morning that about noon I 
called at her door, but she was taking her painting lesson and I did 
not disturb her. Again I pray that God may comfort both your 
hearts, granting you His peace. 

Your friend, Isabelle F. Macfarland. 

Write me if in any way I can be of use to you. — I. F. M. 

The writer of this letter also followed the parents to the 
home of the deceased, and remained with them until their 
return to Washington. Her great sympathy went far to- 
wards sustaining them in their overwhelming grief. 



Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 30. 
My Dear Mrs. Forney : 

I cannot express to you my deep sympathy. I had heard noth- 
ing of her illness. The shock of the telegram was my first inti- 
mation. To think that she was about the last person I saw in 
Washington ! And now gone from both homes ! So soon ! 



40 IN MEMOEIAM. 



What could we do if at such a time we were not permitted to 
believe in a better home above ? I cannot find it in my heart to 
mourn for her, for surely she was a loving child of the God of 
love. But for you my heart bleeds — for you in your grief and 
desolation. May God comfort you in your tears, and help you, 
in this dark hour, to thank Him that He ever gave you such a 
child. Yes ! help you to thank Him for the sweet faith which 
your heart may hold in all its suffering — that she is yours 
still. O ! that her beautiful life might do us all good, and become 
within us a power to fit us for the beautiful home above I I write 
hurriedly ; but even if I should write much more, it would be only 
to say that I weep with you and pray for you. 

Cordially yours, S. S. Mitchell. 



Brookville P. O., Md., 2, 8, '86. 
My Dear Friend : 

Thy favor of the 5th, conveying the sad intelligence of the 
death of your darling daughter Emma, is just received. O how 
sad, that one so young, so lovely, so dearly beloved by her 
devoted parents, her tender husband, and affectionate friends, 
should be thus so quickly and so unexpectedly translated from 
time to eternity ! Truly do I sympathize with you in your deep 
sorrow, knowing, from sad experience, what it is to taste of the 
bitter waters, and to view with an aching heart the lifeless re- 
mains of the precious child that was once so near and so dear to 
us. It is with deep regret that I feel my inability to assuage your 
heartfelt grief upon this sad occasion, yet it is always a comfort to 
know and to feel that we have the prayers and tender sympathies of 
our friends when overtaken by these sorrowing bereavements. As 
your precious child spent considerable time in my school, I have 
thought it would be a comfort to you should I add a few lines 
touching her character as exhibited at that early age. She was pos- 
sessed of a sweet and tender disposition, always ladylike and gentle 
in her deportment, affable in her manners, and always conscien- 
tiously careful in the discharge of every duty that was expected of 
her. She had the love, confidence, and respect of both teachers 
and fellow-pupils. She possessed a clear, thinking mind, and re- 
fined taste ; and during the entire time she was a member of my 



IN MEMOKIAM. 41 



school, a period of nearly three years, she ranked among my most 
satisfactory pupils in every particular. 

I remain thy affectionate friend, 

Jas. S. Hallowell. 



Philadelphia, February 2, 1886. 
My Dear Friends : 

I cannot express to you the shock I felt at the announcement 
of the calamity which has befallen you, and the profound sym- 
pathy I have for you and yours in this sad bereavement. Know- 
ing, as I so well remember, how you were absorbed in the welfare 
of your idolized daughter, how tender, loving, and affectionate 
was her disposition as a child, and how as she grew to woman- 
hood she developed extraordinary talents and qualities that added 
renewed lustre to her character, I can form some faint idea of the 
grief which has overwhelmed you. It is utterly futile to attempt 
to seek for earthly comfort and consolation in this dark hour. 
Truly God moves in a mysterious way ; and while it is most diffi- 
cult to bow the head in meekness and submission, and say, with 
faltering lips, " Thy will be done," the severing of such sacred ties 
has more than once been the potent means of bringing us to a proper 
sense of our helpless condition, and of preparing us to enter upon 
the joys reserved for the faithful in the mansions of the blessed. It 
is a soothing comfort to know that she so early embraced religion, 
and up to the end delighted in her sacred duties; and may we not 
reasonably hope that she has already joined the angelic choir sur- 
rounding the great white throne, in singing hosannas to the High- 
est, and that when the inevitable summons comes for us she will be 
waiting with outstretched arms to welcome us to the bright and 
shiny shore, and to the glorious home where sickness and sor- 
row, and sufferings and partings, shall be known no more forever. 
That we may so live as to be fitted for those joys, and that He who 
dealt the blow will also in His own good time send the healing 
balm to you and yours, is the earnest wish, my dear friends, of 

Very sincerely yours, G. B. P. Ringwalt. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Forney, 
The Portland, 

Washington, D. C. 



42 IN MEMORIAM. 



West Phila., Feb. 4, '86. 
My Dear Cousins Carp, and Kate : 

The terrible news of your sudden bereavement comes to me with 
such a shock that I cannot find words to express my sympathy. I 
always felt closely related to Emma — we were so near of an age, and 
when we played together as children I learned to know and love 
her sweet nature. I shall only add that I am grieving with you 
from my heart, and know you will understand much more that I 
cannot write. Believe me, in deepest sympathy and love, 

Sincerely your cousin, Anne Forney Fitler. 

Station B, 205 So. 33D St. 



Providence, R. I., Feb. 8, 1886. 
My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Forney : 

I am completely unable to express my sympathy for you both in 
this great affliction. It has made a chasm in our hearts that can 
never be filled. But, dear friends, try to remember that your loss 
is her eternal gain ; and feel, if there is a reward above for the just, 
good, and righteous, surely she is at last anchored in a happy 
harbor, and received the award of a pure, consistent, and 
beautiful life throughout. She leaves behind her the remembrance 
of a lovely character which may be an example to any woman. I 
feel sad at reflecting on her sudden departure from this life \ but, 
knowing in what perfect faith she met the great change, I know 
she is at rest. She sleeps in Jesus — blessed sleep ! No more pain, 
no more sorrow. Beyond the river, where pleasures and blessings 
are forever hers. Gone to Him who hath prepared a mansion for 
us. Will you, dear friends, accept the profoundest sympathy from 
one who, like yourselves, has loved and lost. 

Yours, with fullest sympathy, Susie Anthony. 

67 COURTLAND St. 



Lebanon, Pa., January 30, 1886. 

My Dear Friend : 

May God help you in this dark hour ; in this midnight darkness 
that has fallen on you all. Nothing, I know, can comfort you now; 
not the affection of loving friends, or anything that any one can do 
will heal the fearful wound; or ease the terrible heart -ache ; and yet 



IN MEMORIAM. 43 



my heart's desire was to inform you of my sympathy for you and 
your husband, who have sustained an irreparable loss. Only time 
will " blunt the edge of the sword," and nothing else; and there is 
only one comfort for you all, the assurance that her Christian char- 
acter assures you, of a blissful immortality for the dear loved child 
who will be mourned in your household throughout all time; and 
may this be your solace in all the sad hours that are yet to come. 
Dear Kate, accept of my sincere sympathy for you all, and God 
help you to bear this terrible grief. 

At the mercy-seat, I have not forgotten you, and remain forever 
your sincere friend, 

Kate A. Reinoehl. 



Rome, Georgia, February 7, 1886. 
My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Forney : 

I have seldom been more pained by sad intelligence than at the 
death of Emma; so sudden, so unexpected ! I know how proiid you 
were of her, and how much you loved her. Human sympathy at 
such times can do very little to lighten the burden of our grief, our 
comfort must come from "The one only Comforter." Yet it is 
natural to assure the sad and sorrowing of our sympathy, and I do 
most heartily sympathize with you in this the, perhaps, darkest 
hour of your lives. May God, "who doth not willingly afflict or 
grieve the children of men," comfort and sustain you with the 
hope of a reunion in that blessed land, where sorrow and partings 
are forever unknown. My mind goes back retrospectively to the 
weeks spent in Philadelphia, where I first knew her, and learned to 
love and admire her. I see her in my mind, so pretty and dainty, 
full of love for her parents and affianced husband. Poor Mr. Eby, 
what a blow to him, he was so devoted and so proud of her. I re- 
ceived the paper sent me, I suppose, by you; we were all shocked. 
Mother and father unite with me in sympathy to you both. Give 
my kindest regards and sympathy to Mr. Eby, and with the hope 
that God will help you bear your great trial, I am, as of old, 

Your sincere friend, Mary W. Noble. 



Hotel St. Stephens, New York, Ja?iu a ry 29, 1886. 
My Dear Mrs. Forney : 

How my heart aches for you and Mr. Forney. I do not write 



44 IN MEMOKIAM. 



thinking to give you one word of comfort, for nothing human can 
comfort in such an hour, but only to tell you how deeply Mr. 
Quaiffe and I sympathize with you, and how earnestly we pray that 
God may give you grace to bear it. I have never known greater 
devotion than existed between you and Emma. Her sweet, bright 
face comes up before me as I saw her just before I left Washington. 
You and her father have the sweet comfort of knowing you did every- 
thing in your power to make her young life happy. She has gone 
only a little before you, and will make Heaven so much more real 
and near to you than ever before. Oh ! how vain are words! I will not 
mock your sorrow by trying to comfort. Mr. Quaiffe joins me in 
love and sympathy. 

Your sincere friend, Lucy C. Quaiffe. 



39 Broadway, New York, January 30, 1886. 
Dear Friends : 

Words utterly fail me to express how deeply grieved I am at the 
sad news sent to me by our girls. I loved Emma dearly, and al- 
though we seldom saw each other, the image of her lovely face, and 
the thought of her was constantly in my mind, and this has gone 
on for years, and it will surely continue to go on until it pleases 
God that we meet each other in eternity. Your loss is indeed the 
loss of us all, and our tears mingle with yours as we humbly exclaim, 
"Thy will be done." May our good God in His mercy grant 
you strength to bear your loss, and with the greatest sympathy and 
love believe me to be, 

Your old friend, A. S. Solomons. 

Mr. and Mrs. Forney. 



Bolton House, Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 16, '86. 
Mr. Forney : 

Dear Sir : You ask for some impressions that your daughter Mrs. 
Eby has left in my memory. It seems but a little time since the 
dear girl came here a bride and attracted us to her by her agree- 
able personal appearance and frank, engaging manners. She was a 
stranger then. But, thrown together, as we afterwards were, in daily 
intercourse, I found she possessed good sense, a warm, affectionate 
heart, and a cultivated mind. Members of the same church and 
Sunday-school, we for a time studied the Sabbath lesson together. 



IX MEMORIAL. 45 



She interested me much in the way she would gather truths and ap- 
ply the lesson to her class of girls that she was interested in. I recall a 
morning of earnest talk we had nearly two years ago. The subject 
was the doctrines of our church. She told me she had professed her 
love for Christ (when quite young) in the Presbyterian church, not 
that she knew and approved of the teachings of that church above 
any other, but she admired and loved Dr. Mitchell and the friends 
she had in that church. " Now I want to know what my church 
believes," and the talk ended in her carrying to her room a Con- 
fession of Faith for further study. Only a few weeks before her 
summons to her Father's house she was elected a manager of the 
" Home for the Friendless " for the Pine Street Church. She shrank 
from the duties that the office involved ; but when it was presented 
to her as a Christian duty she immediately wrote her acceptance of 
the office. I might tell you of many charming traits that those who 
knew her best admired and loved ; but others will do that. Trust- 
ing that the friendship commenced here will be continued in the 
heavenly home, with kind regards to yourself and Mrs. Forney, 
I am truly yours, Miss S. E. Clark. 



Harrisburg, Pa. 
Dear Mrs. Forney : 

I hesitate to intrude on you in this hour of sorrow and affliction, 
but cannot refrain from expressing my sympathy in the loss of your 
beloved child. Having known the sorrow of a mother's heart, and, 
therefore, how powerless words are to console, I tender my heart- 
felt condolence. 

Very sincerely yours, Jane M. Keenan. 

Saturday, Jan' y 30, '86. 



Office Collector of the Port, 

New Orleans, Feb'y 2, 1886. 
My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Forney : 

Mrs. Jonas and myself were inexpressibly shocked and grieved 
last night on the receipt of Mrs. Browne's letter, with the news of 
your sad bereavement. We can scarcely realize it, so lately had we 
heard from dear Mrs. Eby and received from her her charming 
picture. I will make no attempt at consolation, for I know that 
time alone can soothe your sorrow ; but I write only to assure you 



of our sincere and heartfelt sympathy. Mrs. Jonas wishes she could 
be with Mrs. Forney in her affliction, and sends her love to both. 
With my kindest regards, 

Sincerely yours, B. F. Jonas. 

Mrs. Jonas adds the following tribute of love and sympa- 
thy: 

My Dear Friends : 

I sympathize deeply with you in your loving duty of preparing a 
fitting memorial for dear Emma, and I only wish it was in my 
power to offer a more suitable and graceful testimonial to one I es- 
teemed and loved. I shall always remember her purity and sweet- 
ness of character, her amiable disposition, her devotion to you both 
and to her duties in life — always ready to lend her aid and lovely 
voice for the benefit of charity and the entertainment of all her 
friends, for whom she appeared to have sincere attachment. Her 
gentleness and patience when suffering from sickness, and the many 
womanly and lovely qualities which caused all to love her who knew 
her. I shall never forget her lovely voice and the songs which 
gave me so much enjoyment, and which are now hushed forever. 
May time prove the consoler, that no mortal, however sympa- 
thizing, can hope to be, and bring to you both peace and consolation 
is the prayer of 

Your sincere friend, Josephine Jonas. 



614 Race Street, 
Philadelphia, February 4, 1886. 
My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Forney . 

To tell you that you have my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of 
your dear, loving daughter expresses my feelings very faintly It is 
only those who have passed through the same ordeal can enter into 
your sorrowing hearts. You have much to comfort you — your dear 
child was a beautiful Christian character. What a noble example 
she set to her young friends ! which, I have no doubt, will be imi- 
tated by many. Her death was a perfect translation, without any 
pain or suffering. She was taken to her blessed Saviour's bosom, 
where she is safely landed, and is wearing a crown filled with 
bright and shining stars for the many deeds of love and benevolence. 



IX MEMORIAM. 47 



Try and think not of your irreparable loss, but of your dear child's 
eternal gain. Oh ! how hard it is to kiss the rod that has smitten ! 
That God will shower his best blessings upon you, and sustain you 
in this deep, deep hour of affliction, is the prayer of 

Your ever sincere friend, Mrs. E. W. Hutter. 



East Providence, R. I., February 9, 1886. 
My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Forney : 

Words are but feeble agents at such times as these to express the 
depth of our sympathy for you in your deep, deep affliction, but 
we feel keenly for you in your bitter grief and pray God will give 
you grace to accept it. If we could only realize how short the time 
of separation will be from our dear ones gone before, perhaps the 
burden would not appear so great, but our faith becomes shattered 
when these blows come upon us so heavily. Still I feel that we can 
always find comfort after the first anguish has left us, when we re- 
member that our loved one was so well prepared for the beautiful 
life beyond as your dear, sweet Emma. I recall at this moment of 
my mother's saying once that Emma seemed to her like something 
fitted for another life, she was so mild and gentle, and appeared to 
be living in another atmosphere. I feel and know how far I fall 
from the mark in my endeavor to convey comfort to your poor 
broken hearts, but I must urge you to not lose sight of the fact that 
there is no death. Emma has only passed into the next room just 
a trifle before us, and I often find myself wondering if she has seen 
my mother. This is the point where I falter, my dear friends, al- 
though at the same time I know my mother still lives, but what she 
is doing; who she is with ; if she can see me beside her grave and in 
the home, are the questions that I want answered. I received the 
lovely flowers Mrs. F. so kindly sent, and I shall cherish them as 
a sweet token of our friendship. 

With much love from your devoted friend, 

Sallie B. W. Wightman. 



Washington, D. C., February 10, 1886. 
My Dear Mrs. Forney : 

I cannot tell how surprised and shocked I was when I learned of 
the sudden death of your daughter Mrs. Eby. It was such a short 
time after my very pleasant call on you, when you had cheerfully 



48 IN MEMORIAM. 



alluded to her being so happy in the anticipation of soon occupying 
her new house, that it was difficult to realize the truth of the sad 
statement. I have thought of you very frequently, and would like 
much to see you, but could not think of intruding at this time when 
your grief is so great and your heart so saddened by the affliction 
you have experienced. I have, however, felt a strong desire to ex- 
press my deep sympathy for you, and therefore resort to writing a 
few lines. I know full well that none but those who have passed 
through similar trials can fully understand your feelings, but we 
know it is a most severe bereavement and you must find it hard to 
say "Thy will be done," however much you may desire to feel sub- 
missive. I did not know until recently that you had returned 
home, or I should have sought an earlier opportunity for sending 
words of condolence. Your daughter was greatly loved by all who 
knew her well. Her gentle, amiable disposition won her many 
friends, but no one could so well appreciate the good qualities she 
possessed as her devoted parents and fond husband, and upon them 
the blow falls heavily. That you may receive true comfort and sup- 
port during these dark days of trial, is the wish of your very sin- 
cere friend, 

207 I Street. Mrs. M. K. Emery. 



The Portland, Washington, D. C, Februa7j 2, 1886. 
My Dear Mrs. Forney : 

Each day since you left I have wanted to write you a word of 
sympathy, but your great sorrow seemed so sacred that I felt a re- 
luctance to intrude, yet now I feel compelled to tell you how our 
hearts have ached for you and Mr. Forney ; how earnestly we have 
prayed that supernatural strength might be granted you to bear up 
under this crushing affliction ! Mrs. Craig wrote me the contents 
of her mother's letter, which I have read to your many friends 
in The Portland, who have expressed so much anxiety to hear from 
you. If the sincere sympathy of many friends could assuage your 
grief, some comfort would reach your bleeding hearts, but alas ! 
there is no mortal power that can heal the wound — only in Gilead 
can that balm be found. My mother sends you her sympathizing 
love, and says she has been with you in prayer every hour of these 
days of your sorrow. I am thankful to hear that your other children 
are with vou. To them and to Mr. Eby (although strangers to us) 



IX MEMOEIAM. 49 



we extend our sympathy. Mr. Ellis and the boys join me in love 
to yourself and Mr. Forney. Pardon this intrusion, for words seem 
so cold and meaningless, yet believe me always your sincere and 
true friend, 

Josie C. Ellis. 



i 20 W. 129TH Street, New York, Feb. 6, 1886. 
Mv Dear Friend : 

I am just in receipt of the paper and the card you so kindly 
sent me, ' In Memoriam," containing the sad intelligence. It 
was a very great shock to me, and my first intimation of your deep 
bereavement. My heart aches for you, dear friend, for I know your 
grief is beyond consolation. Your great love for your daughter 
and the deep bond of sympathy that was between you makes your 
loss the greater. Human sympathy is vain, and words of comfort 
are of no avail in this, your hour of deep sorrow. God alone can 
give you comfort and strengthen you to bear this sore trial and say 
"Thy will be done." He knoweth best, though it seems impos- 
sible almost to be reconciled to it. Such a lovely character, and 
one beloved by every one who knew her. Such bright prospects 
and so much to live for. So gifted and talented, and such a comfort 
and pride to you and your dear husband. There is a consola- 
tion in knowing she led a truly beautiful Christian life. She was 
one of the children of God and was ready when the call came : 

" He giveth His beloved sleep." 

God bless and keep you and yours always and give his sustaining 
grace, which shall be sufficient for all your need. Mr. Counselman 
joins me in love and sympathy to you and Mr. Forney. 
Affectionately and sincerely yours, 

Jessie D. Counselman. 



The Portland, 
Washington, D. C, January 29, 1886. 
Dear Mrs. Forney : 

I was so greatly shocked and distressed when I comprehended 
your great trouble; meeting you at the threshold of The Portland, 
I could not realize that in such a short time sorrow, deep sorrow 
had come to one of our household — a burden which no one save 



50 IN MEMOKIAM. 



your kind, good husband can help you to bear. Remember his 
grief is as great as your own, and for the tender love which he has 
ever given you try to be brave and help him to bear his grief. 
Your distress has been felt by all your friends here, and we all wish 
to do something to comfort you. Miss Flint and Mrs. Olmstead 
took charge of your rooms, and they bade me say to let them know 
when you would return so they can have everything in order for 
you. It is useless to write words of comfort to a heart broken with 
sorrow. Only the hand of Him who afflicts can heal the wound, 
when our loved ones are called from earth to heaven. Please express 
to Mr. Eby my great sympathy, and believe me, dear friends, more 
now than ever, your attached friend, 

Alice K. Brown. 



Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 5, 1886. 
My Dear Mrs. Forney : 

Allow me to offer you my deepest sympathy in this your great 
sorrow and trial. May the Lord be with you and His grace sus- 
tain and comfort you in this bereavement ; and what a comfort it is 
to know that He is with us in our grief, and as our Savior ready to 
intercede for us, and, as He heareth the sparrows when they cry, will 
also hear us when we call. His ways are above our ways and His 
providence works beyond our wills to accomplish our highest good. 
May His abiding presence be your support. I did not call to see 
you when here because I thought your grief was too great to intrude 
upon at that time. May the Lord be with you all and bring you 
through this sore bereavement, is the prayer of your sincere friend, 

Kate R. Bryan. 

P. S. — My sister, Mrs. Adams, desires me to send her sympathy 
and love to you, and says when you come again we will call to see 
you if agreeable, and know when you are here. K. R. B. 



" Hawthorne," 
128 West Fifty-ninth St., New York City, Feb. 16, 1886. 
Dear Mrs. Forney : 

I have been wanting to write to you ever since I heard the sad 
news of your Emma's death. No one has felt more deeply for you, 
dear Mrs. Forney, than I have. I can sympathize with you, for I 
too have lost one very dear to me and who was my best friend on 



IX MEMORIAM. 51 



earth — a loss to which I can never be reconciled. But God is mer- 
ciful unto us, and gives us strength to bear our affliction. And so 
He will to you, dear friend. I know that your heart is torn with 
grief for the loss of your dear child , and I do truly sympathize with 
you. Dear Emma ! she is now at rest. Her troubles in this life 
are over. She was a good girl, and now she is reaping her reward. 
Mamma loved her. I wonder if they are together now ! I hope 
so. If at any time you feel like writing to me, I will be very glad 
to hear from you. But do not, I beg of you, if it is at all painful 
to you, to write about dear Emma. I wrote this merely to let you 
know how sorry I am for you and Mr. Forney. I, too, shall mourn 
the death of my girl friend. Again extending my heartfelt sympa- 
thy to you and Mr. Forney, in which my husband joins, with much 
love, 

Ever your friend, Henrietta J. Brown. 



Executive Chamber, 
Harrisburg, ¥A.,Jan. 28, 1886. 
W . H. Eby, Dear Friend : 

The sudden death of your estimable and greatly beloved wife has 
saddened the hearts of your wide circle of friends. My words ot 
sympathy cannot express how deeply I am affected by your terrible 
loss. I cannot be with you at this time, as I would like to, but I 
hasten to send you a gentle pressure of the hand. 

Your friend, T. T. Everett. 



EXTRACT OF A LETTER WRITTEX TO A FRIEND OF THE 

DECEASED. 
The following is an extract of a letter, dated Duncannon, 
Pa., written a few days after the funeral, which is deemed 
appropriate to add to the many other loving tributes paid to 
the memory of Mrs. Eby : 

" Dear Emma, does not her death seem like a dream? I was at 
her wedding — we went from Baltimore to Washington. It was a 
beautiful wedding, but not so beautiful as her burial, nor did she 
look more lovely as a bride than as she lay in her coffin ! It may 
sound strange, but I felt as though I would like just such a funeral— 
a beautiful vision, a clear, bright day, the body borne to church by 



IN MEMORIAM. 



her own friends, the building filled with sympathizing, tearful 
acquaintances, her own father, mother, sister and husband there, 
the sermon eulogistic, but not harrowing, comforting and encour- 
aging to all who listened. Yes, I thought it was a lovely funeral ! " 



For these loving tributes to the memory of a dear, sweet 
daughter, an affectionate sister and devoted young wife, those 
who will miss her the most and mourn for her the longest, will 
ever feel grateful. 

EARLY LOST. 

"A song bird's warble hushed in the green wood, 

Where it once gave Spring's cheerliest melody ; 
A sweet flower fallen, and with their tears bedewed : 

Who had long loved its sunlit hues to see ; 
A fountain checked amid its crystal glee ; 

A star gone out, that gladdened the whole heaven ; 
These are fair types, albeit faint, sweet one, 

Of the near ties thine early death hath riven, 
Yet, grief hath smiles ; for soon, life's winter done, 

That song may greet our ears, that bloom our eyes ; 
That sparkling fount may make its joy our own, 

Within the gates of long-lost Paradise 
New-found through Faith. Friend, sister, daughter, thou, 

Wast named but yesterday ; What shall we call thee now ? " 







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